Unit Four: Online Catalog: OPAC

Question

Library Catalog (Web version)

Topic: “youth suicide” How many records come up? ____

Expand search results by combining “youth suicide” with a synonym like

“adolescent suicide.” How many records appear now? ____

Objectives

Online library catalog What it is What does it contain? Two interfaces How it works

What It Is

Search engine and database of materials the library owns

Identifies a source and tells you where to find it

Each library unique, each online catalog unique

What Does It Contain?

Books (mostly)» Comprehensive, in-depth sources» Diverse viewpoints, balance arguments» Summarize major research to date

Journal titles (but not articles) Government documents, videos,

sound recordings, map records

Two Interfaces

Text version (telnet)» Connect via Web link from library page

Web» Connect via Web link from library page

Text Version

Text or “telnet” connection Requires login (OPAC) Holdings stored in digital format Interface is menu-based Keyboard (arrows/function keys) used to

move, select choices

Web Version

Web connection No login, just link click Holdings stored in html digital format Interface based on graphics, hyperlinks Use links to select choices

Web Vs. Telnet

Web version» + keyword searches broader

(Looks for words in more fields)

» + lets you search more SUNY libraries » + easier to use» - not as quick» - does not include books “on order”

How an Online Catalog Works

Works like any database Content based on “records”

what the database contains

Records composed of “fields” what the record contains

Search Interface that allows user to find data

Records

Contents of a database Books Journal Articles Reports, Gov documents Videos, Recordings Personal resources

Fields

Components of a record Author Title Notes (abstract) Date, publisher Subject field

You can search one field only or several at once (keyword)

Search Interface

Let’s you tell computer how to search» Which words to use» Which fields to look in

– Hatha yoga in title, in subject heading, in keyword

» Expand or reduce results (Boolean searching)– Television OR TV – TV AND children

Provides structure for searches» Search box» Menu options» Help

How Our Online Catalog Works

Use menu or buttons for keyword or single field searching

Expand or reduce search results with AND or OR

Combine fields by using “qualifiers”» au author» ti title» sh subject heading

– au Hemingway and ti sun also rises

Library Catalog – Text Version

SEARCH OPTIONS

Press F10 to access HELP

AU = AUTHOR

TI = TITLE <-----

KE = KEYWORD

CN = CALL NUMBER

SH = SUBJECT HEADING

DT = DOCUMENT TYPE

ENTER YOUR SEARCH : youth suicide

Library Catalog (Web Version)

1. Enter a word or phrase to search

2. Choose a search typeKeyword Subject Author Title

Searching Tips

Youth suicide

Question

Library Catalog (Web version)

Topic: “youth suicide”

How many records come up? 17

Expand search results by combining

“youth suicide” with a synonym like “adolescent suicide.” How many

records appear now? 29

Subject and Keyword Searching Keyword searches several fields in a

document record» Author Title Subject Notes (Abstract)

Subject heading searches only “subject” field» Sometimes called “subject heading”, “descriptor”,

“identifier”» Subject headings must be known, guessed, or

discovered to make a subject search successful

Locating What You Find

“Call numbers” locate an item physically» A-F - first floor» G-P -second floor» Q-Z -third floor

Letters reflect subject » DB -Central European history» PG -Russian literature

Library of Congress (LC) Classification System

A – General works M – Music B – Philosophy N – Visual Arts C - History (Biog) P – Lang/Lit D – History – general Q – Sciences E-F – History (American R – Medicine G – Geography S – Agriculture H – Social Sciences T – Technology J – Political Science U – Military science K – Law V – Naval science L - Education

LC Classification and Categories

H – Social sciences» HD – Economic history and

conditions–HD 232- HD473 –-Industry

HD 233- HD236 –---Household industry» HD 236.3 ------------- Telecommunications

Move from broad to specific

Call Numbers

Detailed letter number combination to let you find individual book

H – Social sciences (and business) HD – Economic history and conditions HD 232- HD473 – Industry HD 233- HD236 – Household industry HD 236.3 - Telecommunications

HD236.3.L86

“Topics in Teleworking” by John Lenox

This Week’s Assignment

Searchthe Online Catalog» Field searching by

– Author, title, subject, keyword, document type

» Combination searching using– AND, OR– Qualifiers au ti sh dt

TILT Lite Reminder

Complete the TILT Lite tutorial» Introduction» Module 1

Access TILT Lite via LIB101 Web page

Complete quiz at end of tutorial» Hand in quiz results to me at next class